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In-depth conversations with the people fascinating Australians right now.
Life in the ’Burbs
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Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters to block Melbourne bridge
The King Street Bridge, a major thoroughfare in Melbourne’s CBD, will be blocked as part of multi-city pro-Palestine rallies that will also close Sydney Harbour Bridge.
‘Do not come to the city’: NSW Police issue warning as bridge closes to traffic
The Sydney Harbour Bridge has closed to traffic as pro-Palestinian protesters prepare to march. Follow rolling updates.
Exclusive
Healthcare
Uproar at plan for hospital to close its doors to women with high-risk pregnancies
A controversial proposal to redirect women with riskier pregnancies has attracted criticism from midwives, the nursing union and the state opposition.
The exclusive schools where high-earning parents send their children
Victoria’s top-earning parents are sending their kids to some of the most exclusive and expensive schools in the state, data shows. See the list and search for your school.
Union’s radical plan to slap 25% tax on the wealthy, restrict negative gearing
Negative gearing, family trusts and capital gains tax concessions should all change, the influential ACTU will tell Labor at its upcoming roundtable.
Investigation
Defence
Guns for hire: How former US admirals influence the Australian Defence Force
An inconspicuous building in Virginia is the conduit for confidential advice provided to the Australian military by former American officers.
Collection
Hot & new
Your August hit list: Hot, new, just-reviewed places to check out in August
Spins on Filet-O-Fish, drive-through and exxy banh mis, a fancy burger and this all-day breakfast sandwich were among the buns we enjoyed this month.
A cousin slipped a young Siobhan $100 at her grandfather’s funeral. It set her on the path to superstardom
Australian singer Siobhan Stagg didn’t think twice when opportunity came knocking.
When should you eat your main meal each day? A dietitian weighs in
Opera singer Nicole Car tells us what she eats to fuel her show day.
Analysis
AFL 2025
Why the Voss call is easier for Carlton than the Goodwin call for Melbourne
Despite the shared problems and superficially similar situations, there’s a clear difference in the nature of the coaching calls that the Blues and Demons confront.
Breaking
Australian rugby
Lions hooker cited for elbowing Lynagh, Suaalii cleared
World Rugby confirmed the Lions hooker’s elbow to Tom Lynagh’s head met a red-card threshhold, highlighting the shocking miss of match officials during the third Test.
‘Walking to my grave’: Outrage after Hamas releases video of emaciated Israeli hostage
The terror group released a video of the emaciated man with a shovel in a darkened tunnel, saying on camera he was digging his own grave.
Opinion
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In 30 years at The Age, I never wrote on Israel-Palestine. Now, I must
I begin this article with a trigger warning: it is certain to offend almost everyone who is wedded to one side or the other.
Barney Zwartz
Contributor
Liquid Glass and windowed apps: All the changes coming to your iPhone
The iPhone’s new visual design is sure to divide opinions, but the overhaul is significant and touches every part of the device’s software.
After a rare flooding event, Aussies are flocking to our largest lake
Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre – Australia’s largest lake – is flooding for just the fourth time in 160 years, turning an arid salt flat into a glittering oasis.
All the things we love about Singapore (plus five we don’t)
Singapore turns 60 years young next week so it’s time to sing the praises of one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations.
shorts
WEEKEND READS
Graphic content
‘Consent angels’, ‘female energy’: How swinging has changed
Magazine
Have a Good Weekend wherever you are with our digital edition
How the nation’s swinging scene has changed | The unlikely anti-nuclear campaigners | Anh and Suzanne Do | The perils of Australia’s “shockingly simple” economy
Investigation
The former PM, ministers and military brass cashing in on Australia’s defence bonanza
With billions of dollars in AUKUS spending looming, the rush to join defence contractors and advisory firms has never been greater.
Victoria
Exclusive
City life
Beauty, bubbles and croissants: Mecca offers a taste of new megastore
The beauty retailer teams up with croissant queen Kate Reid to open a cafe in its giant Bourke Street outlet.
Beyond the platform: Billion-dollar blind spot in Suburban Rail Loop’s design
Critics say Suburban Rail Loop draft plans do not include the necessary infrastructure so people can get to and from new underground stations on foot, bicycles or e-scooters.
Australians are working more hours, and it might be hurting our living standards
Australian workers are choosing to upgrade their lifestyles – buy fancier coffee and take more expensive holidays – rather than shortening their workdays.
‘Out of touch’: Former premier backs popular milk bar over plans for evening dining
James and Cat Laskie’s popular Barton Milk Bar has attracted a host of famous faces since it opened in this affluent area six years ago.
Locals aghast after heritage-listed bridge restoration axed
Councils say they are too expensive to be restored. But residents insist it is worth fighting and paying for these heritage structures.
AFL 2025
Opinion
The fractured football club behind Melbourne’s eight seconds of madness
Three star players could leave and the future of many off-field leaders is unclear. Inside the leadership vacuum at the Demons.
Caroline Wilson
Football columnist for The Age
Famous names and exciting prospects: We name the top 25 prospects for this year’s AFL draft
Some familiar surnames are expected to be called out at the top of this year’s AFL national draft.
Politics
The social media ban is set to begin in December. But whether it works is up for question
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s social media ban faces major hurdles, including the spectre of lawsuits, privacy concerns and whether the change will actually work.
Business
Opinion
Superannuation
Trump’s crypto mania poses a risk for our super
Investing and being hungry for risk is one thing. But when the money being invested is retirement funds, it’s a different ball game.
Victoria Devine
Money columnist
World
The idyllic German city turning further to the right
Fed up with the dominant political parties, many German voters are backing new leaders who have been labelled extreme.
Opinion
Signs are not good for Chalmers’ productivity testament
Parnell Palme McGuinness
Columnist and communications adviser
Explore
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Property
Exclusive
Title Deeds
How much it costs to become neighbours with Lachlan Murdoch
Prestige property hunters have a chance to rub shoulders with the media mogul as a nearby estate hits the market.
Inner-north California bungalow sells post auction for $1.5m
A three-bedroom house in Melbourne’s inner-north, guided at $1.5 million, received one bid of $1.48 million during Saturday’s auction.
Good Food
Lifestyle
‘I am done with being hard on myself’: Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm at 51
Ahead of a rumoured 30-year reunion, the former Spice Girl reveals what’s in the group’s WhatsApp chat, and the special place Australia has in her heart.
Culture
She’s delighted audiences for decades. Now Szubanski joins an elite list
Magda Szubanski, who has been diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma, will be honoured on Sunday night.
Opinion
WordPlay
The colour that is tearing families apart
David Astle
Crossword compiler and ABC Radio Melbourne presenter
Opinion
The Verdict
It’s about time someone said it: paparazzi are artists and heroes
Robert Moran
Spectrum Deputy Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald
Traveller
Drivedrive
From Our Partners
Sport
Analysis
AFL 2025
Why the Voss call is easier for Carlton than the Goodwin call for Melbourne
Despite the shared problems and superficially similar situations, there’s a clear difference in the nature of the coaching calls that the Blues and Demons confront.
Analysis
AFL 2025
Collingwood have the wobbles. They have three weeks to shake them off
Flag favourites for much of the year, the Magpies are stumbling at a time when their rivals are starting their charge.
Soft drinks and State of Origin: The trip to the pub that helped the Vixens to grand final glory
Melbourne’s season was on the brink when coach Simone McKinnis suggested her team should “go to the pub” for a bonding session. Her final game in charge was a premiership win.
May-Day: Nightmare scenario for Hawks as they lose a star for the season
The Hawks are uncertain whether Will Day will need surgery on his foot, but they’ve defended how they managed his recovery from his earlier injury.
AFL Briefing
AFL 2025
Blues’ Magpie rivalry ignites over McRae’s Silvagni ‘date’; relieved Goodwin thankful for extra security
Michael Voss took aim at the approach of his premiership teammate. Meanwhile, Simon Goodwin addressed the need for extra protection after last week’s ugly social media threat.
Analysis
Swimming
‘What you’re doing is not normal’: Why Mollie O can take swimming to uncharted waters
After picking up her 11th world championship gold, Mollie O’Callaghan says she wants to swim at the 2032 Olympics. By then, Cam McEvoy believes she could have tripled her tally.
Wallabies avoid a Lions series whitewash with brilliant win in Sydney
It was wet, it was wild and, most importantly, it was a win. The Wallabies scored one of their bravest victories in recent memory.
Have Your Say
The fractured football club behind Melbourne’s eight seconds of madness
Three star players could leave and the future of many off-field leaders is unclear. Inside the leadership vacuum at the Demons.
Caroline Wilson
Football columnist for The Age
